Bacolod City police director, Senior Supt. Pedro Merced, yesterday said he has ordered the preparation of homicide charges against Chief Insp. Jimmy Fortaleza, Police Precinct 1 commander, who shot dead a detainee at the investigation room Monday.

The detainee, Romulo Caballo Sabino, 37, of Brgy. 35 in Bacolod City, reportedly grabbed the service firearm of a police operative.

With or without the consent of the family of Sabino, Merced said, he will file homicide charges against Fortaleza as a legal and normal procedure that should not be misinterpreted by other Bacolod policemen.

Only the City Prosecutor's Office can determine Fortaleza's criminal or civil liability for the shooting, he said.

He also said Fortaleza was obviously only defending himself when he shot Sabino who had been arrested for reportedly killing the nine-month-old sow of his neighbor in Brgy. 35 Sunday.

Merced said he is still waiting for the results of the paraffin test conducted on Fortaleza before filing the case.

Meanwhile, Warlito Sabino, in behalf of his family, executed an affidavit of desistance Tuesday, stating they have no intention to file any case against the Police Precinct 1 men, especially against Fortaleza since they knew that they did what was necessary at the time.

Warlito said he and his family knew what kind of person Romulo was. He said Romulo hacked their brother Carlito in his head in 1986, attempted to rape their sister, and even killed their father Sopriano by choking him in 2003. He said their deceased mother Priscilla and all members of their family also suffered from his beatings.

Romulo's wife and children left him because of his attitude and he lived in his trisikad after burning his house, Warlito said.

He said they want to bury Romulo in peace and they do not plan to have him undergo an autopsy. They were well assisted in the hospitalization and burial of Romulo and for all their related to his death, Warlito added.*DMG

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